Restaurant Reviews
The Bernards Inn in Bernardsville has survived 111 years, fire, flood and name changes while pampering a well-heeled clientele. But ownership has brought in a new chef and is launching a multi-million renovation.
Gone from the scene more than two years, chef Zod Arifai has opened the Duke and Elephant in Martinsville, a promising addition to the area’s dining scene.
The Art of the Meal: Shumi in Ridgewood
April 2, 2018
With an assist by his sensei, a sushi protégé with a gift for presentation mixes creativity and tradition at his own elegant restaurant.
Aditya and Ashima Sirpal opened Aroma Indian Bistro in Merchantville last year because there was no Indian restaurant there. They serve North Indian dishes, the distinctive cuisine of the Punjab.
At Tastee Sub Shop in Edison, Franklin Park or Lawrenceville, everyone orders by number. The star is the Number 5.
Paintings of boats, piers and sun-baked villages on the Greek island of Syros decorate the walls of Syros Taverna in Englewood, which reviewer Fran Schumer recommends you visit for the charcoal-grilled fish and any dish involving eggplant.
At Stephanie’s Barbecue in Nutley, photos of the Portuguese countryside set the scene as the charcoal pit turns out an array of mouth-watering meats and seafood.
Sibling Synchronicity: 17 Summer in Lodi
March 8, 2018
At 17 Summer in Lodi, the Cuccia siblings, Joseph (the chef) and Jenna (the manager), have turned a low-key storefront in a low-key neighborhood into a “modern European” restaurant.
On its silver anniversary, Stage Left’s founders rebranded their iconic restaurant as a steak house. Good move.
Amma’s South Indian Cuisine in Voorhees will introduce you to the distinctive cooking of Southern India. Feeling adventurous? Ask for your meal to be served the traditional way, on a banana leaf instead of a plate.
In Somerville, Mike and Susan Proskey opened Project P.U.B. one flight above their tapas place, Tapastre. The initials stand for Pop-Up Brewpub, and the theme is pub fare plus devoting all the draft lines each month to a different brewery.
Reinventing a Favorite: A Toute Heure in Cranford
February 15, 2018
The new owners of A Toute Heure in Cranford changed the menu, the chef, almost everything but the name. The other thing they didn’t change was the high quality of the food and service.
Little Place, Big Flavors: Park Place in Merchantville
February 7, 2018
Philip Manganaro didn’t plan on his modest, 32-seat byo becoming a sensation. But runaway success is a good problem to have.
New Ways With Mediterranean: Zeugma Grill in Montclair
February 1, 2018
At Zeugma Grill in Montclair, chef Can (pronounced John) Alp, 28, scores with his unique Avoganoush, a literal mashup of avocado and baba ghanoush.
The Claremont Tavern in Bernardsville has beer, flatscreens and pub faves, but also 14 small salads and starters like wasabi spring rolls.
Coal burns very hot, so it takes an attentive pizzamaker to tend a pie in a coal-burning oven. Bricco Coal Fired Pizza in Westmont does the job well.
At Horseneck Tavern in North Caldwell, classy meets casual, and specialties range from pillowy pierogi to baby back ribs and roast Amish chicken.
Asbury Park’s Mediterranean Hot Spot, Reyla
January 11, 2018
The folks who created Barrio Costero, a modern take on Mexican food, have taken the same approach with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern in their new restaurant, Reyla.
Chef Dominic Piperno made sure to install a large wood-burning grill and oven when he opened Hearthside in Collingswood in September. He is making good use of the grill—and also turning out some deft pastas.
Semi-Southern Comfort: Mathews in Jersey City
January 4, 2018
Visits to Charleston, South Carolina, inspired this neighborhood fave, which feels gracious and homelike, yet hip.